THE UNITED STATES NAVAL OBSERVATORY. 709 



ent. With the exception of the equatorial and mural circle-observa- 

 tions, zone-observations, and several years' unpublished work of other 

 observers, regular astronomical work did not receive the prominent 

 attention demanded for the best interests of the observatory. In 1861 

 Lieutenant Maury left his position to join the cause of the Confederate 

 States of the South. 



Captain Gilliss succeeded to the office in 1861. His heart and 

 hand were in the work. He published the volume of observations for 



1861 promptly in 1862. He gave detailed statements of the volumes 

 of observations he found unprepared for the press, took measures for 

 their publication, for the regular and prompt issue of annual volumes 

 from the observatory, and arranged that meteorological observations 

 should form a part of each volume. The volume of observations for 



1862 contained a discussion concerning the longitude of Washington; 

 a paper on Comet II., 1862, with drawings of the comet during the 

 period of greatest brilliancy ; and a plate illustrating the appearance 

 of Mars, near the opposition in that year. The special work for 1863 

 was an investigation of the solar parallax from observations on the 

 planet Mars. Nearly 11,000 observations were made with four instru- 

 ments during this year. A transit-circle was also contracted for to 

 improve the defective equipment of the observatory. But, while the 

 field was widening before him, and when neither of his three favorite 

 aims had come to a successful issue, Captain Gilliss was suddenly re- 

 moved by death, in 1865, from the scene of his labors. 



Rear- Admiral Davis was placed in charge of the observatory in 

 1865. During the same year the great transit-circle was completed, 

 and placed in position in the then west wing of the observatory. This 

 constituted an era in its history, and raised it to a more fitting rank 

 among institutions of its class. The volumes of observations for 1863 

 and 1864 were published in 1865 and 1866. The meteorological ob- 

 servations from 1842 to 186V were fully discussed, a report was made 

 on interoceanic canals and railroads, and the regular routine work was 

 diligently kept up. In 1867 Rear- Admiral Davis was ordered to take 

 command of the South- Atlantic Squadron. 



In 1867 Rear- Admiral Sands became the fourth superintendent, 

 and is the present incumbent of the office. Since that time the work 

 has so greatly increased in all directions, and the progress of science 

 demands such an amount of labor, that the limits of this article will 

 permit only a brief mention of a few of the most important portions 

 of the work accomplished. One of the recent publications of the ob- 

 servatory is a " Manual of its Founding and Progress," prepared by 

 Prof. Nourse. We refer readers, who desire more extended informa- 

 tion, to this able and exhaustive paper, to which we are indebted for 

 our facts and suggestive information. Under the present superintend- 

 ent, and his efficient and cooperative assistants, the observatory has 

 gone steadily forward, enlarging its boundaries, and widening its field 



